A professional history of Jordan Combe, British Investor and entrepreneur

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There is a common misconception that lean management means massive change in the operational structure of a business. Not so, and many beleaguered businesses in Europe would do well to look at the principles of lean management to improve and streamline all processes with the business.

Origins of Lean Management

The principles of modern lean management come very definitely from Japan and the Toyota Production System (TPS), which identified several areas of waste reduction and a revolutionary way of looking at business methodology. Of course, lean management and lean manufacturing is not just about ‘cost cutting’, but about sustainable measures introduced, that will positively affect the business across all sectors. Two of the most important areas of lean management in TPS are ‘Continuous Improvement and ‘Respect for People’.

The idea behind continuous improvement is that no single idea can be perfect, and it is only through continual questioning and analysis that new systems and processes can be developed. Lean managers always strive to enhance the working environment by encouraging change and the ability to question ‘norms’ by all members of the workforce. Respect within the business environment is focussed on building effective long-term working relationships based on trust, opportunity and openness.

In many businesses across the UK and Europe, businesses are bogged down by the lack of effective change and more importantly, the lack of initiative to effect change due to ineffective management style. When I moved from the world of accounting to strategic management and on to my MBA and a study of micro capitalism, I became interested in lean management principles and how they can be applied to small business owners to drive an economy and instil principles of change in a diverse workforce.

As a busy consultant, I always impart the wisdom and common sense of TPS and lean management as an integral part of starting a business that has the best chance of success in a global economy.

Early education and career of Jordan Combe

After attaining his A-levels with an impressive average, Jordan Combe went on to university in London to achieve his Bachelor of Arts in Accountancy with Honours. The talented and bright young financial specialist in the making was soon scooped up by an up and coming firm as debtors’ clerk. Jordan’s superiors quickly noticed his sharp intellect and keen observation skills and promoted Jordan to being junior accountant after less than a year of service. Jordan Combe continued working in the finance industry for a further eight years during which he was further promoted to being a financial accountant reporting to the CFO at his final corporate position.

Jordan Combe – From finance to financing

After learning the ropes in the financial world and establishing valuable contacts, Jordan Combe set off on his own by starting a consultancy firm offering accounting services. He was almost immediately successful with this as his reputation preceded him in the small world of finance in London. During this time Jordan started noticing that the customers he was dealing with on a daily basis were struggling under the strain of the looming financial crisis and with his observations skills, immediately spotted areas in which clients could cut costs and also spotted how capital backing could make or break smaller establishments. Jordan realised that this sort of support was a valuable commodity for businesses with potential but just not what is needed to take off. Jordan went back to school to further his education with studying for an MBA in Strategic Management and also started dabbling in providing capital to a number of carefully selected newly launched businesses.

Jordan Combe; the entrepreneur supporting entrepreneurs

After further research, Jordan Combe discovered the concept of lean management is very closely linked to his hypothesis of tactical planning in business. He started offering his services as consultant in business and finance creating a specialised service encompassing capital, accountancy and business management. Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool and Jordan gained the reputation of being a miracle-worker with saving failing businesses with his strategies and backing. Through demand, Jordan shifted focus to turnovers and start-up capital. In the past seven years of operating as consultant, Jordan Combe has successfully saved a number of companies from going under and also provided the required support, without which many companies would not have managed to keep afloat.

Out and about with the Combe family

A man passionate about family, Jordan Combe resides with his wife Leslie and two children; 16 year old Chloe and 12 year old Dylan in the quiet and leafy suburb of Chiswick literally a stone’s throw away from Gunnersbury Triangle Nature reserve. The family enjoy the outdoors and take regular trips to the Lake District where they take long hikes and Jordan and Dylan enjoy fishing while the ladies relax. At home they enjoy taking their two Whippets for walks through Gunnersbury and also support Dylan who is an avid swimmer, partaking in regular competitions. Jordan is also quite a cook, recently venturing into the spicy world of Mexican cuisine.